6400 Baltimore National Pike

Bldg. 170A – Suite 104

Baltimore, MD. 21228

The Universal Crossword publishes highly entertaining, topical, literate, American-style crosswords that appeal to a diverse range of international solvers on-line and in print. Daily puzzles, and weekly entertainment and sports-themed puzzles are published. The Universal Crossword appears on hundreds on Websites and newspapers, including MSNBC, The Boston Globe, The Baltimore Sun, and many others. The Universal Crossword is syndicated worldwide by Universal Press Syndicate, the most successful independent syndication company in the world. UPS syndicates popular features such as Dear Abby, Doonesbury, Garfield, Ziggy and Foxtrot.

Universal Crosswords are edited by Timothy E. Parker, Founder of The Puzzle Society, one of North America's largest puzzle clubs. Parker is also the World's Most Syndicated Puzzle Compiler according to Guinness World Records, with over a dozen puzzle games published by over 1,000 organizations.

Themes for the Universal Crossword should be fresh, clever, interesting, and consistently applied throughout the puzzle. Themes should be upbeat, avoiding negative expressions and depressing words like "diseased." Each theme entry should have another theme entry in the symmetrically opposite position in the grid. Themes should be comprehensible to an international solving audience. The Universal Crossword has over 100 clients in Canada alone. Avoid excessive "Americana." Themes that would only be understood by a select segment or fraction of our solving audience will not be accepted.

Constructors should emphasize lively, animated words and phrases. Crosswordese and words that can only be found in the largest dictionaries should be kept to a bare minimum or eliminated. Depressing subject matter and derogatory or offensive words are not allowed. Words and phrases from everyday communications are encouraged. Internationally known brand names are acceptable if used moderately. Avoid abbreviations and acronyms entirely, or keep to a bare minimum. Avoid using the word "ONER" and other archaic words.

Clues should be accurate, clever and intellectual. Check your work! Be careful not to be redundant or boring in clue construction. A well-constructed crossword will contain a balance of puns and logic. A solver should be tested on a wide range of subjects such as literature, motion pictures, popular music, art, classical music, mythology, history, geography, classic TV, sports and noteworthy names in the news. Avoid archaic words, obscure abbreviations, spelling variations and foreign words that are not used or encountered by the English speaking population. Do not let obscure words cross.

Maximum word counts: 78 words for a 15x15. Maximums may be exceeded slightly, at the editor's discretion.

Universal Crossword puzzles must never have been published in any form. Timothy Parker buys and retains all rights, worldwide, for publishing in any and all forms.

FORMATTING CROSSWORDS FOR SUBMISSION

Universal Crosswords may be delivered electronically using popular Windows crossword programs such as CrossDown or Crossword Compiler. Electronic delivery is preferred:

E-mail (TP@masterpuzzles.com)

PAYMENT

$65 for a daily 15x15

All payments are made at the end of the month in which puzzles are published. Notification of acceptance is usually made within two-to-four weeks of acceptance.

UPON ACCEPTANCE, ALL PUZZLES BECOME THE SOLE PROPERTY OF TIMOTHY E. PARKER AND MASTER PUZZLES, INC.

The editor retains the right to edit all puzzles. In addition, Timothy E. Parker and Master Puzzles, Inc. shall have the sole right to license, sell, or otherwise authorize in any way, the use of the puzzles by newspapers published and circulated throughout the world, and in other media, and to take any action to exploit the puzzle as Timothy E. Parker and/or Master Puzzles deems appropriate.

Timothy E. Parker and/or Master Puzzles shall have the sole right to publish or authorize the publication of the puzzle in electronic form, book form, booklet form, pamphlet form, CD-ROM, on-line electronic services, or in any other form of electronic or mechanical publication or transmission, whether now existing or hereafter developed, and shall be the owner of all exploitation rights in and to the puzzle.